Mark Donaldson has one of the more recognizable voices for ESPN's soccer coverage. Of course, the Scottish heritage is hard to miss while Donaldson calls games. In this interview between Donaldson and World Soccer Talk's Kyle Fansler, the duo discuss a variety of topics regarding Mark's career in the soccer, and overall sports, landscape:Breaking through into the commentator world.Attachment to Hearts of Midlothian, his hometown club.Venturing out into other sports, including baseball.Showing off a handful of kits and jerseys collected over the years.His friendship and book contributions for Paul Mariner.Writing books documenting soccer stories.And much more.Mark Donaldson is heard on ESPN's broadcasts of Bundesliga and LaLiga in addition to any tennis coverage. He also features in ESPN studio shows for soccer and baseball. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Donaldson interview: Calling the game as a soccer fan

If you're a soccer fan who eats, lives and breathes the game, we're for you. Several times a week, we discuss the Premier League, World Cup, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A and other competitions. 
As the longest running soccer podcast on the planet, World Soccer Talk also analyzes the television coverage and how you can watch the best leagues from around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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It's been more than one year since MLS Season Pass has launched, so it's perfect timing to identify the pros and cons of the streaming product as well as the market conditions that are impacting it. What has improved, what needs to improve and what issues are impacting the growth of Major League Soccer's revolutionary streaming product such as CBS Sports Golazo Network and other free services?
We also discuss how many people tuned into the CBS network to watch the historic USL Championship game between Louisville City and Indy Eleven.
Other topics debated include the perception of The Athletic as a mouthpiece for MLS. Plus we share your questions and feedback in the Listener Mailbag segment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MLS Season Pass pros and cons after year one

This week's episode discusses Gio Reyna in the USA vs Jamaica game, what European title races are the most exciting, the reaction to the first round of the US Open Cup, ESPN's poor coverage of the FA Cup, The Athletic's cozy relationship with MLS, and a tribute to Joe Barone.
There's more soccer on streaming now than ever before that it's sometimes hard to find common ground with fellow soccer fans. It often feels like two worlds colliding — the mainstream soccer games against niche leagues. Despite this, there's enough soccer for people to choose from. No matter which teams or leagues we're all watching, there are plenty of things in common to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Soccer Worlds Collide

Shown by its mismanagement of the US Open Cup, the US Soccer Federation has lost all authority as the governing body for the sport in this country. USSF has allowed MLS to become the most powerful soccer entity in this country. At the same time, the US soccer system is a mess as leagues compete against leagues. The chaos of the way that the US Open Cup debacle has been run shows how weak the leadership is under the US Soccer Federation.
Also discussed in this episode is the new TV deals from USL and NWSL, and how those two leagues will be giving MLS a run for its money since the launch of MLS Season Pass. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Soccer Federation bows down to MLS

In this week's episode, we discuss whether the soccer streaming bubble has burst. We also dive into a breakdown of the ESPN, FOX, and TNT app and whether it’s a killer app. We discuss the Premier League’s domination of the soccer landscape in the United States, and how that may not be a good thing. Plus, when even the biggest story happens in a league but no one seems to care, what does that say? We also answer the questions, can LaLiga close the gap with the Premier League, and what do the leagues Serie A, EFL, and Ligue 1 do about their next rights deals in the USA? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the soccer streaming bubble burst?

MLS tries to balance Messi's playing time and selling Apple TV subscriptions. We also discuss why FIFA chose New Jersey for the World Cup Final, how Arlington or Atlanta would have been a better choice, where the Women’s World Cup final could be if US/Mexico wins the bid, how Messi Mania is turning into a PR disaster for MLS and Inter Miami, Apple isn’t managing the expectations of fans by making everything about Messi, and why is MLS making so many sloppy PR mistakes lately,  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Donaldson interview: Calling the game as a soccer fan

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